Seven gold medals for Team GB martial arts star

An up-and-coming taekwondo star from Hethersett Academy has topped the medals table at a major European championship.

Amy Hayes was crowned the Outstanding Athlete of the 2018 European Martial Arts Games after winning seven gold medals, two silvers, and one bronze for Team GB at the tournament in Lichtenstein.

Her medal haul helped Team GB to overall victory at the championship, with a total of 64 golds.

Amy, 15, has been practising taekwondo for over seven years and is a 2nd Dan black belt. Alongside training at least two hours per week, she helps at club gradings, coaches other youngsters, and competes at tournaments across the UK and Europe.

Amy said: “I enjoy taekwondo because it helps my confidence and determination as well as my fitness.

“My favourite part is the competitions, because I can do patterns, sparring, and self-defence all in one day and I’m able to learn from other people’s approaches and styles.”